JB posted some helpful insight into how to go upwind - good one JB! very helpful...
Seeing as I'm struggling with going upwind, except when I'm really powered up - I thought I'd see what others "top tips" are for the seemingly elusive upwind gain...
Hold wing more vertical like a windsurfing sail in lighter air. Look upwind slightly higher than your course. Engage your lats more than using only smaller muscles by having palms down and slightly pulling hands down in direction of water. Keep the core (hips, legs, abs, torso) engaged with no slop in the system. Turn your hips/pelvis to face more upwind. Bear off slightly when you feel a loss of lift and point as high as you can again as lift increases. Your path upwind will be slightly more"S" shaped than on a straight line as you adjust to gusts and lulls. Cant the board over a bit upwind if possible. Play around with narrower handle positions in lighter air to get the wing away from you and more upright. Make sure you aren't stalling by pointing too high and losing lift; point a little lower to maintain speed better. Maybe something here will help?
Select to expand quoteCan555 said..
Hold wing more vertical like a windsurfing sail in lighter air. Look upwind slightly higher than your course. Engage your lats more than using only smaller muscles by having palms down and slightly pulling hands down in direction of water. Keep the core (hips, legs, abs, torso) engaged with no slop in the system. Turn your hips/pelvis to face more upwind. Bear off slightly when you feel a loss of lift and point as high as you can again as lift increases. Your path upwind will be slightly more"S" shaped than on a straight line as you adjust to gusts and lulls. Cant the board over a bit upwind if possible. Play around with narrower handle positions in lighter air to get the wing away from you and more upright. Make sure you aren't stalling by pointing too high and losing lift; point a little lower to maintain speed better. Maybe something here will help?
There's some gold in there...!
Thanks for taking the time!!
